Nadine Velazquez (left) and Tamara Tunie are featured in "Flight," which actually spends little time in the air.

"Flight" never soars, despite the often persuasive best efforts of Denzel Washington.

Even the title is misleading. It suggests that the devastating plane crash that opens the film will lead us along a flight path that looks at its causes or consequences. That it will turn into a legal thriller, or a sprawling tale about the lives of those on board. | Nov. 1, 2012»Read Full Article(1)

When she reached a certain age, Louise Abrahams Yaffe did what a lot of people do. She joined AARP.

"She figured that's what people should do," said her daughter, Jane Butenhoff. But Yaffe was also the kind of person who got involved, and getting her AARP card marked her entry into a new frontier - working on behalf of seniors. | Dec. 28, 2012»Read Full Article

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s "To Kill a Mockingbird" provided one of the best moments on stage in Milwaukee this year.

Here are two memorable scenes - one from each of the two best shows I saw on a Milwaukee stage this year.

Toward the end of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's "To Kill a Mockingbird," 8-year-old Scout escorts Boo Radley home. As Atticus, Lee E. Ernst watches her go, while also gazing into the future at the woman she will become, embodied by Deborah Staples. Atticus and Scout are sometimes at loggerheads. But in this great moment, we also see how much they share. | Dec. 28, 2012»Read Full Article(2)

Anne Lamott, whose Christianity is permeated by the street-wise spirituality of the 12-step programs, has much in common with the publican in Luke's parable, whose simple prayer is "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Luke doesn't record how much of a sense of humor the publican had, but Lamott brings her hard-earned wit to this concise book about the ways that need, gratitude and awe drive prayer. | Dec. 28, 2012»Read Full Article

Every year has its share of restaurant closings. In 2012, an unusual number of restaurants closed but reopened fairly quickly with new concepts under ownership that was the same or just somewhat different.

Who’d a-thunk Hollywood still had the juice? But the mainstream film industry did indeed seize this year, striking back at the box office against the relentless trendiness of indie films. Learn more as Movie Critic tells us what movies he put on his 2012 Top 10 List – and why -- in Friday’s Weekend Cue.